A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris
Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk to discuss upcoming programs at the James Monroe Museum and Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. He reviews events like Art After Hours, Sketchy History, History Trivia and Cars and Coffee and bringing Eliza home. Listen to the episode.
Associate Professor of Marketing Kashef Majid
Associate Professor of Business Kashef Majid was featured as a financial expert in WalletHub’s analysis of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. Majid provided commentary on credit card structures, explaining how companies can afford to offer 2% cash rewards while maintaining profitability through retailer transaction fees. He recommends cash rewards over miles programs for their flexibility and advised consumers to compare offerings with alternatives such as online banks and credit unions.
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth recently presented a keynote lecture, “Political Narratives, Disinformation and the 2025 and 2026 Elections,” at the annual conference of the Virginia League of Women Voters.
In addition, Farnsworth was quoted by WVTF in a recent segment titled “Virginia Democrats beat early primary voting record.” Farnsworth told the outlet the increase in early votes shows excitement among Democrats across the Commonwealth. “The Washington narrative that Democrats are dispirited and the activists are hopeless,” he said. “That’s just not supported by these early voting numbers in Virginia.” Read the article.
Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
How voters’ views on Trump could play into Virginia general election (NBC Washington)
“The biggest challenge for Virginia Republicans is President Trump,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/how-voters-views-on-trump-could-play-into-virginia-general-election-video/3939913/
Reaction: Virginia Primary Election (DC News Now)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth is the Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. He breaks down the election and sets the scene for the November election.
https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/capitol-review/reaction-virginia-primary-election/
https://www.dcnewsnow.com/video/reaction-virginia-primary-election/10829175/
Union leaders announce departure from DNC; party leadership in question (The National Desk; Local 12 News; Baltimore Sun; CBS Austin; WJAR; The National Desk)
Political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, Stephen Farnsworth, told us, Weingarten and Saunders leaving the DNC highlights the internal conflict within the party. I think the Democratic party is really going through something of an identity crisis at the moment,” Farnsworth said.
https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/two-union-leaders-announce-departure-from-dnc-party-leadership-in-question-democrats
https://local12.com/news/nation-world/two-union-leaders-announce-departure-from-dnc-party-leadership-in-question-democrats
https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/17/union-leaders-announce-departure-from-dnc-party-leadership-in-question/
https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/two-union-leaders-announce-departure-from-dnc-party-leadership-in-question-democrats
https://turnto10.com/news/nation-world/two-union-leaders-announce-departure-from-dnc-party-leadership-in-question-democrats
https://thenationaldesk.com/news/nation-world/two-union-leaders-announce-departure-from-dnc-party-leadership-in-question-democrats
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum Elizabeth Freund Larus
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum Elizabeth Freund Larus was invited by the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom to speak at the Indo-Pacific Roundtable 2025.
Larus’s panel focused on China’s relations in Northeast Asia, and she assessed Taiwan’s readiness to an invasion or embargo by China. Larus indicated that Taiwan is unprepared to respond to influence operations as well as military aggression from China, and that China’s Shuiqiao 水桥 extendable oversea road bridges are just the latest maritime military development that could facilitate China’s invasion of Taiwan.
Please note that the following parking lots will be reserved on Orientation dates:
Guest vehicles will remain in George Washington lot throughout each session. After 10 a.m., any unoccupied spaces in these lots may be used by faculty and staff. All other faculty/staff lots remain available.
Accessible parking is honored in all lots with DMW-issued tags. For safety escorts, call UMW Police at ext. 1025. Or, visit the Safety Escort webpage for more information.
Questions? Contact Parking Management at parking@umw.edu or visit the Parking Lot Reservations Calendar.
Please contact the orientation staff at 540-654-1061 or orientation@umw.edu with any event questions.
Professor of History and American Studies, Krystyn Moon
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon spoke to the With Good Reason public radio show for an episode titled “Beyond the Embargo,” highlighting multiple aspects of Cuba. On the show, Moon shares stories from her grandmother’s childhood growing up in the Caribbean country and explains that the tourist-drawing sustainable farming practices of the La Picadora community were born out of economic crisis. Listen to the episode.
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in recent coverage by WHRO and WVTF about record-breaking early voting among Virginia Democrats. Farnsworth noted that the increase signals enthusiasm across the state, countering national perceptions.“The Washington narrative that Democrats are dispirited and the activists are hopeless,” he said. “That’s just not supported by these early voting numbers in Virginia.” Read the article.
Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
The Employee Financial Wellness Program continues to provide resources to help you achieve financial independence as your financial wellness remains a priority in the new year! Please check out June’s financial wellness newsletter and the new items below to learn more about the financial education offerings and resources:
Calling State Employees!! The Commonwealth Mentorship Program (CMP) is searching for state employees to serve as Mentors, or learn new skills as Mentees, during the CMP the 2025-2026 cohort! The application is open now until July 31. The 2025-2026 cohort will kick off on September 3, 2025. Get ready to embark on your career development journey. Limited seats are available, so apply here! Stay tuned for more information about the leadership development and financial mentorship sub-cohorts!
Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Road Trip, Anyone? We’ve got tips to save you money every time you gas up. Read “Keep Your Money Where it Belongs: Tips for Fuel Efficient Driving” and learn the small steps you can take to lower your monthly gas costs. Log in to your myVRS account and select Financial Wellness.
Virginia Credit Union. Crushing Your Savings Goals. Let’s start saving smart. In one of our top seminars, we’ll help you find the right goals and show you how to meet (and exceed) them. Join VACU on Tuesday, June 10 at 12 p.m., for this live event. Register Here Now!
BANZAI. June’s rewards bundle focuses on vacation savings. As you progress through the activities for the month of June, you will have the chance to win cash and other giveaways. Most importantly, we aim to provide you with the peace of mind that comes with financial literacy and preparedness. Proceed to the link to learn more: June’s Banzai Activity
Virginia Employee Discounts Marketplace. This June, your savings marketplace is your go-to destination for exclusive savings on summer travel, shopping, and entertainment! Experience the magic of Disneyland. Enjoy adult tickets at child prices when you purchase 3+ day tickets to the Disneyland Resort—perfect for summer family fun. Also, get up to 60% off hotel reservations and save up to 20% on flights to your favorite destinations. Whether it’s a quick weekend trip or a long-awaited vacation, your journey starts here. Receive up to $1,000 onboard credit on top cruise lines, adding extra value to your voyage with perks like specialty dining, excursions, and more. Save 60% on a new Sam’s Club membership and get a $20 Travel & Entertainment Credit—a great way to stock up and save all season long. Access your employee discounts here!
Employee Assistance Program. All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs). Included are up to four sessions at no charge for such services as mental health, alcohol or drug abuse assessment, child or elder care, grief counseling and legal or financial services. Please learn more here!
Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund (VSEAF). The Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund provides grants to eligible state employees suffering from a financial crisis or an unplanned emergency/or unplanned event that impacts the employee or family members living in the residence of the employee. The VSEAF is a recognized 501c(3) charity member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), Code 203040. Visit the VSEAF webpage here.
The state has authorized a 3% pay increase and a one-time 1.5% bonus. Details and eligibility criteria are included below, and in the 2025 UMW Salary Increase FAQs.
May 25, 2025, 1.5% One-Time Bonus
Full-time and quasi Classified or A/P Faculty employees, full-time Teaching Faculty, and Wage employees who were employed on or before February 25, 2025 and are actively employed on June 16, 2025, will be eligible to receive the bonus. For Classified and A/P faculty employees, the bonus will be paid out in the June 16, 2025 paycheck. For Wage employees, the bonus will be paid out in the June 27, 2025 paycheck. For Teaching Faculty, the bonus will be paid out in the June 16, 2025 paycheck.
June 10, 2025 3% Salary Increase
Classified Staff
Classified staff hired on or before March 10, 2025 and remaining employed as of June 10, 2025 will receive a 3% base pay increase effective June 10, 2025, provided they received a rating of “Contributor” or satisfactory on their last performance evaluation or more recent interim evaluation.
A/P Faculty
A/P faculty hired on or before March 10, 2025 and remaining employed as of June 10, 2025 will receive a 3% base pay increase effective June 10, 2025, provided they received a rating of “Contributor” or satisfactory on their last performance evaluation or more recent interim evaluation. Pay increases for both Classified staff and A/P faculty will appear in paychecks beginning July 1, 2025. Please refer to 2025 UMW Salary Increase FAQs for information about employees working fewer than 12 months annually and are not actively working on June 10.
Full-Time and Adjunct Teaching Faculty
All full-time Teaching Faculty who were employed with UMW as of March 10, 2025, and remain employed on June 10, 2025, will receive the 3% pay increase effective August 16, 2025. Adjuncts’ rate increases will be reflected in their Fall letters.
Wage Staff
All wage staff hired on or before March 10, 2025 and remaining employed as of June 10, 2025 will receive a 3% hourly rate increase effective June 16, 2025. Pay rate increases for wage staff will appear in paychecks beginning July 11, 2025.
Deferred Compensation
Part or all of the salary increase may be deferred, subject to relevant plan guidelines and limitations. Please see 2025 UMW Salary Increase FAQs for detailed guidance to enroll in or change contribution amounts for the 403b Pre-tax Annuity.
For questions about salary increase eligibility, you may contact Deborah Burton dburton@umw.edu in Human Resources
Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation Christine Henry
Associate Professor of Historic Preservation Christine Henry was featured in a recent Q&A article by the National Building Museum titled “What is Historic Preservation?” In the piece Henry discusses how preservation can be inclusive, creative and forward-looking. From reusing buildings to amplifying overlooked histories, Henry offers a thoughtful take on why preservation still matters and how we can all take part. Read the article.